Gaza health system near collapse, two more hospitals at risk: WHO Chief
Palestinians carry aid supplies which they received from the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in the central Gaza Strip, May 29, 2025. Photo:REUTERS
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At least 34 Palestinians have been killed since Saturday morning, according to Palestinian health sources.
Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis recieved at least 15 bodies, while another seven were brought to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, sources told Al-Jazeera. Yet another six people were killed while waiting near an aid point in al-Akhawah. Besides, bodies were retrieved from different parts of the city.
Eight arrested
Moreover, eight Palestinians were arrested in Hebron district, Wafa news agency reported.
Five of them were detained near a water spring in Nahalin Town, west of Bethelem. Two brothers were arrested by Israeli soldiers while tending to livestock near their home, and another person was arrested from Ash-Shuyukh Town, northeast of Hebron.
Famine threat
Meanwhile, health sources and aid agencies have warned of imminent threats to Gaza's health system and food supply in the enclave, Al Jazeera reported. The latter have warned that all residents in Gaza face the threat of famine after Israel imposed a severe blockade in March, blocking the entry of food, medicine and fuel.
Succumbing to international pressure, Israel allowed some aid to enter Gaza last month but operations were halted at aid distribution hubs earlier this week after Israeli forces opened fire near the sites.
Health services in Gaza are also at risk of collapsing. World Health Organization Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that Nasser Hospital and Al-Amal Hospital in southern Gaza are 'at risk of becoming non-functional'.
On X Ghebreyesus wrote, "Gaza's health system is collapsing, with Nasser Medical Complex -- the most important referral hospital left -- and Al-Amal Hospital at risk of becoming non-functional".
Without Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital people will lose access to health services, he added.
#Gaza's health system is collapsing, with Nasser Medical Complex -- the most important referral hospital left -- and Al-Amal Hospital at risk of becoming non-functional. Without them, people will lose access to health services.
These hospitals lie within or just outside the… pic.twitter.com/oGvBnFVNSs — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 6, 2025
Although the two hospitals lie within or just outside the evacuation zone announced on June 2, Israeli authorities have informed that access routes leading to both hospitals will be obstructed, said Ghebreyesus, adding that consequently, safe access for new patients and staff will be difficult if not impossible.
"The hospitals going out of service would have dire consequences for patients in need of surgical care, intensive care, blood bank and transfusion services, cancer care, and dialysis." Ghebreyesus said the "relentless and systematic decimation of hospitals in Gaza has been going on for too long. It must end immediately". He reiterated WHO's calls for the release of hostages, and an immediate and lasting ceasefire.
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